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Research Opportunities

Independent Research

The Department of Communication Studies makes a strong commitment to undergraduate research. Courses like COMM 3990 Research Practicum or COMM 3970 Directed Study are avenues for course-credit research.

Interested in COMM 3990?Find a research project you are interested in and contact the professor for an interview. Make sure to fill out the COMM 3990 contract together.

Interested in COMM 3970?Connect with Ascan Koerner for the student-faculty contract and for assistance with registering.koern011@umn.edu

The Undergraduate Research Practicum, COMM 3990, seeks to enhance your research skills. COMM 3990 requires that you assist faculty members or graduate students in their ongoing research project. The research practicum requires you to work three hours per semester week for each registered credit. You may enroll for a maximum of 3 credits per semester, which will require you to work nine weekly hours on the research project. If you would like to be a research assistant and help on research, please follow these steps:

With the completed contract in hand, schedule an appointment with the communication advisor in 274 Ford to receive your permission number for COMM 3990.

COMM 3970 is the class to take if you are interested in pursuing your own research. In order to conduct independent research, you must find a faculty member willing to act as your mentor and guide through the project. After reaching an agreement with a faculty member, contact Professor Ascan Koerner for the student-faculty contract and assistance registering for COMM 3970.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

We also encourage you to apply for the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). This program, sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research, supports research projects dedicated to fulfilling the U of M’s commitment to research and expanding the store of human knowledge and expression. If you successfully apply, you will receive a stipend to support your research, and you'll have an opportunity to present your research at various university symposia.

If you're accepted into UROP, you will be mentored by one of nearly 3,000 diverse faculty members, and you will meet other students who share a passion for discovery about the human condition. UROP can be used to help you achieve practical goals like your senior capstone project or put you on a path to a career. If you desire to pursue a program with UROP, please consult our undergraduate advisor or visit the Office of Undergraduate Research for more information.